The Forest Service is in the process of revising the way land and resource management plans for the 201 national forests and grasslands nationwide are developed. The proposed rule was published in the October 5, 1999 federal register. The public comment period HAS BEEN EXTENDED to Feb. 3, 2000.

More info may be found at the U.S. Forest Service site: http://www.fs.fed.us/forum/nepa/rule/

The Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina are three of the several national forests that are currently undergoing the revision process. This proposed rule will affect the planning process for these forests.

Key Difference Between the Existing and Proposed Rule

1. Under the current planning process, Forest Service planning proposals were agency driven. With the proposed rule any amendment or revision of a land and resource management plan would start with a collaborative process with more up-front public involvement.

2. Under the current planning process, emphasis was placed on products and services. While the proposed rule addresses products and services, the emphasis is now placed on desired conditions, the overall vision of what a national forest or grassland should be.

3. Under the current process, planning seemed to be focused on short-term targets. The proposed rule would shift the emphasis to long-term sustainability of ecological, social and economic systems.

4. The current planning process established the regional forester as the responsible official for the development of land and resource management plans. The proposed planning process pushes responsibility down to the forest supervisor level, nearer to the land and people using it.

5. The proposed rule places more emphasis on using science and scientists in planning, including assessments, development of plans and monitoring and evaluation.

6. The forest plan appeal process (in 36 CFR part 217) would be replaced by a pre-decision objection process, similar to that used by the USDI Bureau of Land Management. It would not, however, change the existing part 215 appeal process for site-specific decisions. The intent of this provision is to further streamline planning and to encourage resolution of issues at the local level.

7. The current regulation describes how to write a forest plan, while the proposed rule describes how to do forest planning.

source: U.S. Forest Service 10/01/99

more info may be found at: http://www.wilderness.org/newsroom/usfs_rules.htm